Going through divorce, mom remembers others at Christmas

Despite her own personal hardships, Tara wants to bring joy to someone else, embracing the true meaning of Christmas spirit.

The separated mother of one, who has struggled financially, emotionally and physically for many months, recently took the few dollars she had set aside for her workday lunches and purchased a small, table top Christmas tree for a friend who was recently hospitalized after a difficult birth.

“She was crying that she was separated from her newborn and was worried about not having a Christmas tree,” said Tara, who scraped together a few dollars to purchase one and $2 worth of ornaments for her friend. “Hopefully, when she gets discharged she can go home and see a little Christmas tree. I’m hoping it makes her feel better and improves her spirit.”

Tara, 40, of Phoenixville, the mother of a 3-year-old girl, is no stranger to hardship.

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Shortly before the birth of her daughter her husband lost his job and was unemployed for 1˝ years, setting the family back financially because Tara’s income wasn’t enough to support the family. With unpaid bills mounting and debt collector’s banging at the door, Tara, who suffered postpartum depression, also couldn’t afford the physical therapy she needed for other medical ailments.

When Tara’s husband did find work, it was only part-time and bills continued to mount, ending with their home going into foreclosure. A last minute refinancing deal saved the family home, Tara calling it last year’s Christmas present.

“I never expected to be in such a place. But the economy happens,” Tara said.

As if the financial hardships weren’t enough, Tara and her husband are now divorcing.

“This is going to be a year of a small Christmas tree and small stockings,” said Tara, adding relatives she thought she could turn to for assistance have also faced unemployment this year and can’t assist her.

Meanwhile, Tara’s daughter realizes Christmas is approaching.

“This is the first year she’s aware of Santa Claus. This year, she’s like, ‘Can we go see Santa?’ She’s all about it this year. It hurts to think I can’t get her things she wants,” said Tara, adding, however, she is using her difficult times to teach her daughter the true meaning of Christmas.

“I’m teaching her that it’s about a lot more than gifts. I tell her that it’s the one time of year she can get together with family. I tell her it’s a lot about giving her my love, that it’s about being together with people you love,” Tara said, her voice quivering with emotion. “I’m trying to reinforce that it’s not important how many presents are under the tree. It’s about how many hugs you get and give.”

Tara said she’s not worried about clothes for her little girl as friends have provided a lot of “hand-me-downs.” She’s just hoping she can scrape together $30 to buy her daughter one special gift.

Tara shared her story with The Mercury to inspire those who can to reach out to help their neighbors at this most appropriate time of the holidays.

Now in its 22nd year, Operation Holiday has provided a brighter holiday season to thousands of families with children. Last year, more than $50,000 in donations allowed the program to provide food and gifts for 227 families including 601 children.

This year’s list of families referred by local service agencies is already at 238 families with 635 children.

“Every year we are struck by the need in our community. The loss of a job, an illness, rising food costs create issues for so many families, and at the holidays, parents in those families have the task of deciding between giving their children a holiday or paying the bills. Operation Holiday was created to help ease that burden and provide some food and gifts for children in families that have fallen on tough times,” explained Nancy March, editor of The Mercury.

“Through the generosity of our readers with donations and of our staff with their time, we are able to help families celebrate a holiday despite their circumstances.”

There is no overhead with Operation Holiday and all funds stay in the Pottstown area. Families are referred by local agencies and churches. Funds are collected and audited in a non-profit foundation account managed by staff of The Mercury. Food, which includes the fixings for a holiday dinner as well as staples for the pantry, is ordered, bought, packed and distributed by Mercury employees. Gift cards for every child in the program 16 years of age or younger are purchased through Boscov’s and distributed in partnership with the referring agencies.

Operation Holiday does not accept families who have not been referred by an agency in order to protect the integrity of the program.

Operation Holiday is funded solely by readers’ contributions. All contributions are tax deductible. Contributions may be mailed or brought to the offices of The Mercury, P.O. Box 484, Pottstown, PA 19464. Make checks payable to Operation Holiday.